Duke's jealousy to the demise of his last duchess

 

Control and Possession

• • • • The Duke is depicted as a character who seeks absolute control and possession. His jealousy stems from a desire to have complete dominance over the Duchess, not just in life but also in death. He resents the idea that others could appreciate her beauty and charm, and this desire for exclusivity contributes to her demise.

Egotism and Arrogance

• • • • The Duke's jealousy is closely tied to his egotism and arrogance. He believes that he alone should be the sole recipient of the Duchess's smiles, and he cannot tolerate the thought of her treating others in the same way. This egotism blinds him to the Duchess's individuality and contributes to his decision to have her silenced, metaphorically or literally.

Inability to Understand the Duchess

• • • • The Duke's jealousy is a manifestation of his inability to understand the Duchess's nature. He perceives her smiles and expressions of kindness as a threat to his status rather than as genuine aspects of her personality. This lack of understanding leads to a breakdown in their relationship and ultimately to her demise.

Art as a Form of Control

• • • • The Duke uses the portrait of the Duchess as a means of maintaining control even after her death. By hiding the painting behind a curtain, he can choose when to reveal her image, emphasizing his dominance over her even in her absence. This act reflects the Duke's jealousy and contributes to the demise of the Duchess by reducing her to a mere object.

Irony of the Duke's Monologue

• • • • The entire poem is presented as a dramatic monologue where the Duke is essentially confessing his role in the Duchess's demise. The irony lies in the fact that the Duke, in expressing his jealousy and control, inadvertently reveals his own flaws and contributes to the audience's understanding of the tragic outcome.

In conclusion, the Duke's jealousy in "My Last Duchess" is a central theme that contributes significantly to the demise of the Duchess. His need for control, egotism, failure to understand the Duchess, use of art as a tool for dominance, and the irony in his monologue all work together to create a narrative where jealousy becomes a destructive force leading to the downfall of the Duchess.

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